The Tesla Model 3 is indisputably the best-selling electrical automobile (globally) ever. It has nice vary, efficiency, and in addition quick charging traits. Immediately we’ll check out the charging outcomes of the entry-level Normal Vary Plus (SR+) model in Europe (made within the USA).

Our main curiosity would be the 2021 Tesla Mannequin 3 SR+, examined lately by Bjørn Nyland (see video above), and examine it with the earlier “2019-2020” SR+, utilizing knowledge from the Fastned fast-charging community (they seem like in step with Bjørn Nyland’s 2020 Mannequin 3 SR+ check).

So far as we all know, each of these SR+ automobiles are geared up with Panasonic’s NCA battery cells (we aren’t 100% certain), manufactured on the Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada:

• 2021 Mannequin 3 SR+: 55 kWh pack (50.9 kWh usable), WLTP vary of 448 km (278 mi)
• 2020 Mannequin 3 SR+: 53 kWh pack (49.0 kWh usable), WLTP vary of 409 km (254 mi)

In Europe, there’s now additionally a Chinese language SR+ Mannequin 3 with an LFP battery (CATL), which could have completely different charging traits. Initially, in China, there was additionally a SR+ model with NCM batteries from LG Chem’s LG Vitality Answer. Some experiences say that LG batteries are used additionally in some Teslas produced within the U.S. as properly, which implies that it will likely be very tough to match Tesla merchandise (on prime of which might be one going adjustments by means of new software program updates).

Anyway, the evaluation of Bjørn Nyland and Fastned knowledge reveals that the brand new 2021 Tesla Mannequin 3 SR+ with NCA battery expenses slower than the “2019-2020” model. In response to some feedback, it is likely to be associated to the change to new chemistry (extra energy-dense and less expensive, with decrease cobalt content material). Reportedly, a facet impact of that’s barely decrease charging energy.

There are additionally different prospects – Tesla perhaps restricted the preliminary charging energy to verify all the things works because it ought to – and can unlock an identical/or higher charging energy at a later level.

Let’s get into particulars.

To begin with, the charging curve of the 2021 Tesla Mannequin 3 SR+ could be very easy (pure for phese articular battery cells), with out synthetic energy caps for sure SOC ranges.

Charging from 65 % SOC is under 50 kW, which isn’t significantly excessive.

Peak charging energy (when beginning at round 10% SOC) is 159 kW.

We do not have actual time knowledge for the charging session, however from the video it appears that evidently the charging from 20% to 80% SOC took about half-hour.

The typical energy within the essential vary from 20% to 80% SOC is 64 kW (not significantly excessive to be trustworthy), which is 40% of the height worth.

To attenuate the charging time on a long-distance journey, it is value arriving at a decrease SOC degree.

The height C-rate* – charging energy in relation to the whole battery capability of 55 kWh (estimated/guess) – is about 2.9C. That is one of many highest leads to the trade.

Nevertheless, the typical C-rate when charging from 20% to 80% SOC is under 1.2C, which is common (Audi e-tron is at 1.6C for instance).

*C-rate tells us how the charging energy pertains to the battery pack capability. For instance: 1C is 1-hour charging energy (present), when the ability worth in kW is the same as the battery pack capability in kWh. 2C could be sufficient to recharge in half an hour.

The online battery capability estimated at 50.9 kWh stands for about 93% of the whole battery capability.

The speed of replenishing vary is determined by the power consumption and the power consumption is determined by the use case.

• WLTP
  Taking into account the WLTP vary of 448 km (278 miles) and out there battery capability of fifty.9 kWh, we are able to assume power consumption of 114 Wh/km (183 Wh/mile).
  The efficient common pace of vary replenishing when charging from 20% to 80% SOC could be 9.4 km/minute (5.8 miles/minute).

As we are able to see under, the vary replenishing pace chart is the one through which Tesla shines, because of its excessive effectivity.

Comparisons with different EVs

Tesla Mannequin 3

Tesla Mannequin 3

Now it is time to examine the 2021 Tesla Mannequin 3 SR+ with the “2019-2020” model, talked about within the introduction.

The info reveals that the earlier model was charging at noticeably increased energy throughout the 10-80% SOC vary. The height seems to be capped at 170 kW within the 2020 model.

It is fairly attention-grabbing, because the older model has decrease capability (estimated at 53 kWh), in comparison with the newer one (estimated at 55 kWh).

Larger energy mixed with a number of % smaller battery interprets into a lot quicker charging (about half-hour vs about 22 minutes).

*The beginning factors had been adjusted to the bottom frequent SOC.

The C-rate of the older Mannequin 3 SR+ is noticeably increased than within the new model. At peak it exceeds 3.0C!

Time for a small abstract of all of the numbers. Crucial factor from the consumer perspective is that the earlier Mannequin 3 SR+ was capable of common at 82 kW (20-80% SOC), which is a 3rd quicker than the brand new one:

As a result of the brand new Mannequin 3 SR+ has extra vary, it partially compensates for the decrease charging energy. In impact, the distinction between the vary replenishing pace shouldn’t be as excessive because the distinction between the charging energy.

The brand new Mannequin 3 has 22% decrease charging energy common (20-80% SOC), whereas the vary is replenished 18% slower. The WLTP vary itself is nearly 10% increased, so perhaps it is an intentional trade-off.

The 2021 Tesla Mannequin 3 SR+ gives excellent DC quick charging traits, nevertheless, it isn’t pretty much as good (not less than now) as within the earlier SR+. The explanation is likely to be a tradeoff between the power density (for increased vary) and the charging energy.

Within the case of Mannequin 3 SR+, it is value charging at low SOC ranges, as the ability is way increased at first.

We’re desirous to see extra checks of the Tesla automobiles so keep tuned for extra experiences.

Common data:

* Some values on the charts are estimated from the information supply.

** Temperature of the battery cells would possibly extremely negatively have an effect on charging capabilities. We do not have knowledge about temperatures of the battery originally and throughout the charging course of. In chilly or scorching climate, in addition to after driving very dynamically, charging energy is likely to be considerably decrease than proven on the charts (in excessive instances charging is likely to be inconceivable till the battery temperature is not going to return to an appropriate degree).